Canada Opposes Pact on Migrant Workers; Holds It Would Hurt Refugees

June 16, 1939

GENEVA (Jun. 15)

The Canadian Government today informed the International Labor Conference here of its opposition to a proposed international agreement on migrant workers on the grounds that it would affect settlement of refugees in countries where labor is sought.

The Canadian statement pointed out that political conditions in many states created a large number of refugees, facing remaining states and overseas countries with a problem obliging them to adopt strict measures for regulating admission of potential refugees and making the task of charitable organizations more difficult. It warned that additional regulations on emigration would only hamper the humanitarian work of settling refugees.

Outlining the British Government’s procedure, the Canadian statement declared that flexibility of procedure was necessary to cope with the task. It asserted that it would be most regrettable if rules for the protection of migrant workers were to obstruct and hamper the settlement of refugees.